The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals' (DHH) Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) is conducting a survey this month to gauge satisfaction with the services it provides.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, individuals with disabilities, employers and advocates gathered on the Capitol steps to call attention to the importance of employment for people with disabilities and the beginning of Louisiana's observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Today, the Louisiana Senate confirmed three appointments of Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) employees to top level positions. Earlier this year, DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert appointed Jeff Reynolds as DHH undersecretary, Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham as Interim Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health and Mark Thomas as Interim Assistant Secretary for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities.

Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Kathy Kliebert was joined by advocates for individuals with disabilities on Thursday as she announced $10 million in funding in Governor Jindal’s proposed upcoming fiscal year's budget, which will dramatically expand access to home and community-based services for some of Louisiana's most vulnerable residents.

Today, the Louisiana Division of Administration and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals outlined a plan to address funding reductions included by the Legislature in the state’s final operating budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1. Without these actions, DHH projects that it would face an approximately $25.9 million state general fund shortfall at current operating levels.

DHH would like to recognize its nurses for the tremendous job they do each day in promoting public health and for the selfless care they provide during times of emergencies. This is National Nurses Week, May 6-12, set aside to honor all of America's 3.1 million registered nurses, including the more than 54,000 nurses in Louisiana. National Nurses Week is the time of year designated to recognize and celebrate these professionals and highlight the work they do every day to save lives and help people achieve better heath.

Today, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein announced mid-year reductions at the agency that will save $51.8 million in State General Fund for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. These reductions have a total impact of $82.6 million for this Fiscal Year, when federal funds that would be used to match affected programs and services are considered. DHH’s reductions are part of the State’s overall mid-year reduction plan that addresses the budget shortfall in the current fiscal year.